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Mt. Vernon Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Every year, distracted drivers cause thousands of crashes across Illinois, leaving victims with serious injuries, lost wages, and a long road to recovery. If you were hurt in a distracted driving accident near Mt. Vernon or anywhere in the Chicago area, you have legal rights, and Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is here to help you pursue them. As a Chicago abogado de lesiones personales firm with deep roots in Illinois law, we fight for injured people across the state, from the Loop to Jefferson County and everywhere in between.

The Distracted Driving Problem in Illinois
Illinois Law on Distracted Driving: What You Need to Know
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Distracted Driving Crash?
Proving Distracted Driving: Evidence That Makes the Difference
What Compensation Can You Recover?
FAQs About Mt. Vernon Distracted Driving Accidents

The Distracted Driving Problem in Illinois

Distracted driving is not a minor traffic issue. In 2024, 3,208 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers across the United States. Another 315,167 people were injured by distracted driving in that same year. Those numbers represent real families whose lives were changed in seconds because someone looked away from the road.

Illinois is no exception to this crisis. The Illinois State Police worked 4,117 hours of distracted driving enforcement and issued 5,652 citations, with distracted driving citations accounting for 55 percent of the total. Even with that level of enforcement, crashes keep happening. On busy routes like I-57 near Mt. Vernon, or along the stretch of I-64 that cuts through Jefferson County, a single moment of inattention can have devastating consequences. Pedestrians near the Veterans Memorial Bridge, cyclists on local roads, and other motorists all face the same risk when a driver picks up a phone.

Phone use while driving is one of the most common distractions. When a person reads a text while driving, their eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of an entire football field while blindfolded. That is not a minor lapse in attention. That is a preventable danger that causes real harm to innocent people every single day.

Illinois Law on Distracted Driving: What You Need to Know

Illinois has a clear and firm law on distracted driving. Public Act 103-0310, codified at 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2, makes it illegal to drive while using an electronic communication device to stream video, participate in video conferencing, access social media, or engage in other phone-based activities while operating a motor vehicle. The law covers far more than just texting. Scrolling through apps, watching videos, and even checking a map while holding your phone are all prohibited.

If using an electronic device while driving causes an accident that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another person, it is considered a Class A Misdemeanor. If the result is death, it is considered a Class 4 Felony. These are serious criminal consequences, separate from any civil liability the driver faces.

Drivers under 19 years old are not allowed to use cell phones in the car at any time, whether hands-free or not, under Illinois statute 625 ILCS 5/12-610.1. That same statute forbids drivers of any age from using cell phones while driving in school zones and construction zones. These rules apply whether you are driving through downtown Chicago or on a county road near Mt. Vernon. When a driver breaks these rules and causes a crash, that violation becomes powerful evidence in a personal injury claim.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Distracted Driving Crash?

The distracted driver is the most obvious party to hold responsible, but liability does not always stop there. Illinois law under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117 addresses joint liability in personal injury cases. Under that law, defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. Any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater of the total fault is jointly and severally liable for all other damages as well. This matters because multiple parties sometimes share responsibility for a crash.

For example, if a commercial truck driver was texting and caused a crash near the I-57 and I-64 interchange in Mt. Vernon, both the driver and their employer may be liable. Employers can be held responsible for the negligent acts of their employees when those acts happen within the scope of employment. Rideshare and delivery drivers present similar issues. Illinois law does not create a special carve-out for gig workers, so a rideshare driver glancing at a passenger request while in motion still violates the same statute as any other motorist. Rideshare and delivery apps generate their own data trail, which can sometimes corroborate or contradict a driver’s account of what happened before a crash.

Under Illinois law, if you are injured by a distracted driver, you must also be aware of the state’s modified comparative negligence rule. Illinois determines fault through a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning each driver receives a percentage of blame based on the evidence. You can still recover compensation as long as you are found less than 51 percent at fault, though your award gets reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Insurance companies will try to shift blame onto you. Having legal representation helps protect your percentage of fault from being inflated unfairly.

Proving Distracted Driving: Evidence That Makes the Difference

Proving that a driver was distracted at the moment of a crash requires real evidence. Police reports help, but they are rarely enough on their own. Cell phone records, obtained through a subpoena, provide the clearest evidence that a driver was using a device at the time of a crash. Beyond phone data, traffic camera footage, event data recorders in modern vehicles, and eyewitness accounts all help establish the sequence of events.

Time is a critical factor in gathering this evidence. Phone carriers sometimes purge older records after a set retention period, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses often gets overwritten within days or weeks. If you wait too long to act, that evidence may be gone forever. Nearby businesses along Broadway Street in Mt. Vernon or surveillance cameras at the Jefferson County Courthouse area may capture footage that proves what happened, but only if someone acts quickly to preserve it.

Insurance companies typically respond to distracted driving claims by disputing the cause of the crash rather than denying that it happened. Adjusters often argue that a driver merely glanced at a phone briefly, or that another factor, such as weather or road conditions, played a larger role. This is a standard tactic designed to reduce what they pay you. An experienced legal team can counter these arguments with solid evidence and a thorough understanding of how Illinois courts evaluate distracted driving cases.

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, any driver involved in a crash resulting in personal injury must immediately stop at the scene and remain there. A driver who flees after a distracted driving crash faces additional criminal exposure, and that behavior itself can be used as evidence of consciousness of guilt in a civil case.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A successful distracted driving claim in Illinois can cover a wide range of losses. Medical bills are the most immediate concern, including emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and any ongoing treatment you need. But compensation does not stop there. Lost wages account for time away from work, and a claim can also address reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit future work. Pain and suffering compensates for the physical discomfort and disruption that do not come with a receipt but still carry real weight.

Serious distracted driving crashes often cause injuries that affect victims for years. Spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and soft tissue damage are all common outcomes. If your injuries are permanent, your claim should reflect the full scope of your future losses, not just your current medical bills. Illinois law allows recovery for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and long-term pain and suffering when the evidence supports it.

If a loved one was killed in a distracted driving crash, a wrongful death claim may be available under Illinois law. Surviving family members may be able to recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship. These cases are deeply personal, and Briskman Briskman & Greenberg approaches them with the care and seriousness they deserve. The firm is located at 205 W Randolph St., Suite 925, Chicago, IL 60606, and serves clients throughout Illinois, including those in the Mt. Vernon area. Call us at (312) 222-0010 to discuss your situation with our team.

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, personal injury actions in Illinois generally must be filed within two years of the date the cause of action accrued. Missing that deadline can permanently bar your right to recover. Do not wait to get legal advice.

FAQs About Mt. Vernon Distracted Driving Accidents

What counts as distracted driving under Illinois law?

Illinois law under 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2 prohibits using any handheld electronic communication device while operating a vehicle. This includes texting, calling, browsing the internet, watching videos, using apps, and accessing social media. Even holding your phone at a red light is a violation. Hands-free use is permitted for drivers over 19, but only if the device is mounted or integrated into the vehicle. School zones and construction zones carry stricter rules for all drivers, regardless of age.

How long do I have to file a distracted driving injury claim in Illinois?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. This deadline applies to most distracted driving accident claims. If you miss it, you lose the right to pursue compensation, no matter how strong your case is. There are limited exceptions, such as cases involving minors, but you should not assume an exception applies to you. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the crash?

Yes, in most cases. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you are found to be less than 51 percent at fault for the crash, you can still recover compensation. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of fault to reduce what they owe you, which is one reason having legal representation matters.

What if the distracted driver who hit me did not get a ticket?

A traffic citation is helpful evidence, but it is not required to win a personal injury claim. The civil standard of proof is lower than the criminal standard. You only need to show that the driver was more likely than not distracted and that their distraction caused your injuries. Cell phone records, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and vehicle data can all establish distraction even without a police citation. An attorney can help gather and preserve this evidence before it disappears.

What should I do immediately after a distracted driving accident in Mt. Vernon?

Call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Some injuries, like concussions and soft tissue damage, do not show full symptoms immediately. Get the other driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate number. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Do not discuss fault at the scene. Then contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg at (312) 222-0010 before speaking with any insurance company. Early legal guidance protects your claim from the start.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

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